The Best Gundam Anime

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Summary

  • Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans is the grittiest and most brutal series in the franchise, featuring corrupt officials and child labor.
  • Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt portrays horror and conflict equally, with a powerful jazz soundtrack to enhance battles.
  • Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team offers realistic guerrilla warfare, showcasing obstacles and setbacks in military operations.

Talking about mecha anime, it’s undoubtedly the Gundam series that springs to mind first. This iconic franchise has been a mainstay since 1979 and continues to captivate audiences in 2025. Although there have been numerous other exceptional mecha shows over the years, none have managed to maintain their cultural relevance quite like the Gundam series has done.

The extensive Gundam collection includes numerous TV shows, movies, and Original Video Animations (OVAs), all organized along the Universal Century (UC) Timeline, independent timelines, and Build Timeline. Similar to other large franchises, certain titles have garnered exceptional acclaim. Considering this, here’s a list of top-tier Gundam anime, ranked according to their MyAnimeList ratings.

7. Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam

A Sequel That is More Exciting Than the Original

  • Japanese Title: Kidou Senshi Zeta Gundam
  • Type: TV Series
  • MyAnimeList Score: 7.89
  • First Released: Mar 2, 1985

The story unfolds eight years post the conclusion of Mobile Suit Gundam, with the Principality of Zeon vanquished, and the Earth Federation emerging victorious. Yet, the advent of a new epoch ushers in a fresh menace to the tranquility of the cosmos. This time, the struggle ensues between the Earth Federation’s corrupted task force known as the Titans and a resistance group called the Anti-Earth Union Group (AEUG), who aim to dismantle the Titans.

Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam is often considered a maturer take on the original Gundam series. This perception arises due to its depiction of characters like Amuro Ray and Char Aznable as older versions, adding depth and complexity to their stories. Furthermore, the conflict between the two factions in this series is more nuanced and intricate, leading to more sophisticated military strategies and thrilling mobile suit combat scenes.

6. Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt

An Intense and Groovy Story at the Edge of the One-Year War

  • Japanese Title: Kidou Senshi Gundam Thunderbolt: December Sky
  • Type: Movie(s)
  • MyAnimeList Score: 7.94
  • First Released: Jun 25, 2016

Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt showcases conflicts between specialized, limited units from Earth Federation and Zeon Principality, occurring off the bustling frontlines during the One-Year War. While characters such as Amuro and Char engage in their battles at the heart of the action, this story sets these two sides against each other at the edge of the cosmos instead.

Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt boasts two compelling aspects. Firstly, it presents a gripping narrative that portrays the devastation of war from both perspectives, fostering sympathy and allegiance for its antagonistic main characters, despite their readiness to engage in lethal combat against each other. Secondly, it offers an exceptional jazz soundtrack that amplifies excitement during mobile suit battles with its lively tempo, while tugging at the heartstrings with its poignant melodies during emotional scenes.

5. Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team

The Most Realistic Guerrilla Warfare in the Gundam Franchise

  • Japanese Title: Kidou Senshi Gundam: Dai 08 MS Shoutai
  • Type: OVA
  • MyAnimeList Score: 8.00
  • First Released: Jan 25, 1996

Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team” is a little-known gem that effectively infuses realism into the typical Gundam narrative. As its title implies, the story revolves around the 08th Mobile Suit (MS) Team, a unique guerrilla force strategically positioned in the dense jungles of Southeast Asia.

In the true world, military operations seldom unfold perfectly as intended. There’s always a hitch or an obstacle that arises. A vehicle might malfunction, the weather might be inhospitable for the operation, there could be trouble with the locals, parts for repairs might not arrive promptly, and countless other minor yet essential matters that soldiers on the ground must handle to accomplish their objectives. This is much like the situation portrayed in Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team. When it comes to irregular warfare involving giant Mobile Suits, this is as authentic as it gets.

4. Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans

The Grittiest and Most Brutal Gundam Series

  • Japanese Title: Kidou Senshi Gundam: Tekketsu no Orphans
  • Type: TV Series
  • MyAnimeList Score: 8.06
  • First Released: Oct 4, 2015

Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans is often referred to as the darkest and most violent installment in the Gundam series, and it’s not difficult to understand why. To start, the narrative revolves around ruthless military leaders exploiting their authority for personal gains, while children are compelled to work under harsh, perilous conditions with minimal rewards. To top it off, a menacing Gundam unit wreaks havoc on its adversaries by pulverizing them with an immense mace – truly a grim and intense portrayal.

In the world of the Gundam franchise, many series and films are accustomed to depicting brutality. This is because they delve into themes of military conflict and war, which typically result in violence and casualties. However, Iron-Blooded Orphans elevated this trend. The theme, plot, battles, and design of the mobile suits all have an intense, authentic feel to them, which sets it apart from other titles within the franchise and resonates deeply with fans.

3. Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn

Taking Transformation to the Next Level

  • Japanese Title: Kidou Senshi Gundam Unicorn
  • Type: OVA
  • MyAnimeList Score: 8.09
  • First Released: Mar 12, 2010

Mobile suits within the Gundam franchise have been known to undergo transformations since their inception. For instance, the first Gundam, RX-78-2, initially appeared as limbs that assembled into the renowned mobile suit, complete with its Core Fighter and pilot at the core. Additionally, the spectacular flight transformation of Gundam Wing is another iconic example, a feature that would be replicated across other Gundam series.

If you were to select a single transformation that stands out as both iconic and instantly recognizable when associated with “transforming Gundam,” then it would undeniably be the Gundam Unicorn – specifically, the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam. This animated series is noteworthy for its gripping narrative, but the breathtaking and awe-inspiring battles between transforming Gundams are the elements that truly leave an indelible impression and contribute to the lasting appeal of this series.

2. Mobile Suit Gundam 00

When the Gundam Turned Vigilante

  • Japanese Title: Kidou Senshi Gundam 00
  • Type: TV Series
  • MyAnimeList Score: 8.10
  • First Released: Oct 6, 2007

In many Gundam shows, battles erupt between two opposing parties such as warring nations, rival groups, governments versus rebels, or revolutionaries against the status quo. However, in Mobile Suit Gundam 00, the dynamics are different. Instead of one side fighting another, the Gundams here are controlled by Celestial Being, a neutral paramilitary organization that steps into global conflicts. Essentially, it’s a fight between Celestial Being and their Gundams against all other forces.

Regardless of which nations or groups are engaged in conflict, the Celestial Beings and their mighty Gundams will intervene to halt the war. In essence, they compel the opposing sides to cease fighting. Those who agree to peace will be spared. Those who persist in battle will face destruction. This idea, combined with epic battles and captivating characters, is what makes Gundam 00 so highly esteemed.

1. Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin

The Best Gundam Series in the History of the Franchise

  • Japanese Title: Kidou Senshi Gundam: The Origin
  • Type: OVA
  • MyAnimeList Score: 8.32
  • First Released: Feb 28, 2015

In the Gundam series, the narrative typically centers on military operations, politics, and warfare. As such, most titles within the franchise prioritize presenting intricate plots over character development. Instead of delving deep into the emotional journey or mental state of the young protagonist, Amuro Ray, these stories often emphasize the impact and unfolding events surrounding the Battle of Loum on the overall narrative.

From my perspective, it’s crucial to grasp that every storyteller has their unique method when weaving tales, and there’s no absolute right or wrong way. Some prefer to focus on the plot’s development (plot-driven), while others prioritize character growth and interactions (character-driven). Interestingly enough, a plot-driven style often proves fitting for epic space sagas like Star Wars and Gundam, as it masterfully portrays the grandeur and political implications of interstellar strife. However, I can’t help but wonder how captivating it would be to witness a space opera unfold using a character-driven narrative?

It’s worth mentioning that within the Gundam series, there exists a character-focused narrative titled Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin. This OVA centers around the life of Char Aznable, one of the most significant characters in the franchise. From his troubled upbringing to his rapid ascent through Zeon’s military hierarchy, this series meticulously portrays every critical moment in Char’s journey. It would not be an overstatement to describe Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin as a prime example of character-driven storytelling while maintaining the intrigue and complexity of political and military events.

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2025-07-21 11:34